Removing IPs

[Sir Osis of Liver]

How to prevent SMF from detecting member IPs?

How to prevent IPs being saved to database?

[Arantor]

Um, why?

Easiest way to prevent them is just to neuter the stuff in QueryString.php by setting $_SERVER['REMOTE_ADDR'] and $_SERVER['X_FORWARDED_FOR'] to '0.0.0.0' before going into the rest of the detection code.

As for cleaning house on what's there already, you'll need to clean out the poster_ip column of posts, empty the error log and also clean the member_ip and member_ip2 columns from the member table.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Been asked to look into using SMF for a secure messaging service, i.e., no tracking info, messages read once then auto-delete, something like that.  Just taking a first look.

[Arantor]

It's really not designed to be used that way.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Thinking about adding something like this to the forum, and remove any trackable info from SMF database.

[SwedishMarch1964]

Well, if the IP is removed that means that their accounts are removed, unless they move to a new IP address.

[Arantor]

Well, if the IP is removed that means that their accounts are removed, unless they move to a new IP address.

No it doesn't.

[emanuele]

Easiest way to prevent them is just to neuter the stuff in QueryString.php by setting $_SERVER['REMOTE_ADDR'] and $_SERVER['X_FORWARDED_FOR'] to '0.0.0.0' before going into the rest of the detection code.

* emanuele feels this wouldn't cope too well with the spam protection...(posting time)

[Arantor]

It wouldn't, but I figure that's mostly a non issue

[SwedishMarch1964]

Well, if the IP is removed that means that their accounts are removed, unless they move to a new IP address.

No it doesn't.

It doesn't?

Well,

What happens?

[Arantor]

Um... nothing? Since IPs are not tied to accounts...

[SwedishMarch1964]

Even if there is more than one account on that IP address?

[Arantor]

-sigh- Yes.

IPs are not accounts and accounts are not IPs and we're not talking about banning or deleting anything.

[Burke ♞ Knight]

SwedishMarch1964,

Before you try to help, and we do appreciate that fact that you are trying, please learn about what you are talking about, before you post.
You have been giving some advice that not only is wrong, but some will as above, do nothing at all.
Others, can cause more harm than what the person is originally having for an issue.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Haven't had time to work on this, but Arantor's fix in QueryString.php works as advertised.  Prevents forum from detecting IPs and saving them to database.  IPs are displayed in Profile and posts as '0.0.0.0', and saved as such.

The basic idea here is to allow members to use the forum anonomously (sp?), so that if the database is breached, or seized by a fascist government agency by order of a 'secret court' , there's no way to identify the members short of actually hacking the board and intercepting the traffic.

[Arantor]

I have yet to understand the fascination with anonymously using forums.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

You don't live in the US.

[margarett]

That's not a problem for the US of A
http://www.france24.com/en/20131021-usa-spy-agency-nsa-recorded-millions-french-phone-calls

Off-topic, sorry...

[Arantor]

You don't live in the US.

No, I live in the UK which is probably worse.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

That's not a problem for the US of A
http://www.france24.com/en/20131021-usa-spy-agency-nsa-recorded-millions-french-phone-calls

Off-topic, sorry...

Actually, that's what US intelligence (?) agencies are supposed to do, spy on other countries.  Unfortunately, they've been spending a great deal of their time spying on the American people, hence the increased interest in secure email, anonymous forums, etc.